Kathrine Frich
The suspect — a retired Polish military officer — was allegedly a long-dormant Russian sleeper agent.
The suspect — a retired Polish military officer — was allegedly a long-dormant Russian sleeper agent.
A Joint Operation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has narrowly avoided an assassination attempt, officials confirmed, thanks to a joint operation between Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW).
The Target: Rzeszów Airport, A Crucial NATO Hub
Authorities revealed the plot focused on Rzeszów Airport, a key transit point for Western military aid to Ukraine.
The would-be assassin reportedly considered several methods, including a high-powered sniper rifle setup and a first-person-view (FPV) drone strike.
‘Sleeper Agent’ Had Soviet Loyalties
SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk said the suspect, a military pensioner, had been “recruited decades ago” and had never let go of his Soviet-era beliefs.
After years lying dormant, he was allegedly activated to eliminate Ukraine’s head of state.
Polish Counterintelligence Played Key Role
Malyuk praised Polish intelligence counterparts for their swift and professional work.
He noted the operation was the result of deep collaboration and meticulous planning that uncovered a network of Russian influence embedded in Europe.
FSB Infiltration of Ukraine’s Own Security
Even more chillingly, Ukraine uncovered a separate assassination attempt involving insiders from its own security services.
Two colonels from the Administration of State Guard (UDO), responsible for protecting top officials, were arrested for allegedly working with Russia’s FSB.
Trusted Protectors Turned Traitors
Among those arrested was the head of the UDO’s State Protection Management Department.
“These are the people meant to protect our leadership,” Malyuk said, highlighting the shocking nature of the betrayal within Ukraine’s elite security apparatus.
Links to FSB’s Fifth Service Revealed
Investigators tied the betrayal to Russia’s Fifth Service of the FSB, a notorious branch responsible for foreign intelligence.
The colonels were said to be collecting sensitive information and coordinating possible strikes on President Zelensky and other key figures.
Zelensky, Budanov Also Listed as Targets
The sleeper agent network wasn’t just targeting Zelensky.
According to Malyuk, assassination plots were also in motion against Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, and Malyuk himself.
Two-Year Intelligence Operation Comes to Fruition
The arrests mark the culmination of a covert operation that has been running since early in Russia’s full-scale invasion.
SBU teams reportedly used a mix of human intelligence and technical surveillance to infiltrate the ring.
Fallout in Russia: Top FSB Official Demoted
Following the failure of the plot, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly removed Lieutenant General Sergey Beseda, who had led the FSB’s Fifth Service.
Though demoted, Beseda continues to serve as an advisor within the FSB.